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The Adam LaRoche Situation
Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche will be arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter, and can expect to earn $7MM or so in 2009.
LaRoche has not been bad with the Pirates - .272/.345/.458 in '07, .269/.340/.480 this year. The problem: he was useless in April both years, continuing a career trend. His lines look much better without April included - .296/.361/.492 in '07 and .291/.358/.535 this year. That is the kind of production the Pirates expected when they traded Mike Gonzalez for him in January of '07.
Clearly LaRoche has value, so non-tendering him is out of the question. In April of this year, the Pirates reached a possibly insurmountable impasse in multiyear extension talks with LaRoche. With the Pirates in a clear rebuilding phase, trading him this winter makes sense. Teams that could be in the market for a first baseman: the Yankees, Indians, Angels, A's, Mariners, and Giants. LaRoche could be Plan B for GMs not willing to pony up the young players needed to acquire Prince Fielder or Ryan Howard. Still, the Pirates do not have payroll problems and will not trade LaRoche just to unload salary.
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i seriously doubt the Angels will be in the market for a first baseman. If they don't sign Teixeira, they seem very ready and willing to hand the job over to Kendry Morales.
Posted by: bseballcrzy17 | September 17, 2008 at 11:44 AM
i think he'd be a good fit for the yankees. if they don't get tex, i'd be happy if they could trade for someone like laroche. i'm sick of all or nothing sluggers. we need to get back to the tino martinez type - solid obp, good defense. and not to worry, we have enough mr. april's on this team to carry a weak one from 1B.
Posted by: the_kid_01 | September 17, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I think we should trade him to the Yankees like the one guy was saying in the chat this week maybe package him and Paulino and maybe Nyjer Morgan and try to get Cano and if you have to take Melky too since they seem upset with his production.
Laroche would fill the need at 1B. Paulino is young catcher that we simply have no room for and can hit as well as the average catcher. Morgan is lightning fast and plays excellent defense. That being said there would probably have to be other players added on both sides to even it out but this would be a good starting point and a good deal for both clubs.
Posted by: BucSox | September 17, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Adam LaRoche for Ian Kennedy? Kennedy's stock is down and he is hardly irreplaceable.
Posted by: mymrbig | September 17, 2008 at 02:44 PM
I think the LaRoche for Kenedy talk is about where the Bucs should be headed. If not for Kennedy then you pitching in general. Offense is cheaper and easier to come by then pitching. look at teams with great success they have one thing in common, pitching. The Rangers have proven time and again: great offense + mediocre pitching = losing(alot), great pitching + mediocre hitting = WS ring. How many times have we seen teams ride a couple hot starters to a championship? Do you ever remember seeing a team ride a couple hot hitters to a ring? I sure don't.
Posted by: mitch | September 17, 2008 at 03:01 PM
How about Kennedy and Marquez for LaRoche. What do you guys think?
Posted by: yankfan1 | September 17, 2008 at 03:49 PM
"With the Pirates in a clear rebuilding phase, trading him this winter makes sense. Teams that could be in the market for a first baseman: the Yankees, Indians, Angels, A's, Mariners, and Giants"
Ms need a 1B, what would it take, depends on what there asking for? I'd inquire, because lets face it, they don't have any backup plans.
Posted by: Ms4life | September 17, 2008 at 05:46 PM
Ms4life,
I would Imagine the Pirates would want a pitching prospect with high upside or a top flight positional prospect. I know what people are going to say that is too much for Laroche and your right but like the article says we don't "have to" trade him as we are fine finnancially.
Posted by: BucSox | September 17, 2008 at 06:50 PM
The M's should not be trading prospects for rent-a-players.
I hope the A's don't trade for him. LaRoche is a good hitter, but he isn't enough to push the A's over that hump to a playoff team. Unless they are certain that they will extend him, no go. Although the A's could very easily strike up a deal with the Bucs (can you say pitching?)
Posted by: melonis rex | September 17, 2008 at 06:52 PM
"Kennedy and Marquez for LaRoche"
Kennedy is worth a bag of peanuts.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | September 17, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Not sure why the Indians would be involved....Garko isn't having the greatest year but does have 79 RBIs and been hitting over .300 since the beginning of August. I'd rather just stick with him.....as he's not arbitration eligible, than spend $7M on LaRoche.
Posted by: Hermie13 | September 17, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Honstley I believe he will wind up getting traded to New York although think we wind up with Kenndy which would really upset me. I think they should just hold on to him and worry about trading Wilson Sanchez and Paulino.
Posted by: BucSox | September 17, 2008 at 08:49 PM
"Do you ever remember seeing a team ride a couple hot hitters to a ring? I sure don't."
The Rockies rode their batting to the World Series last year.
Posted by: AA | September 17, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Hermie13, I completely agree with you. Indians are not in the market for a 1B. As a matter of fact, they have too many options to choose from within the organization. Ryan Garko seems to be the starter but then there is Victor Martinez and Kelly Shoppach, which means that Martinez could split time with Garko, and then younger players like Michael Aubrey, Mills, Hodges and even LaPorta. Indians might be looking to deal one of these guys for a possible closer rather then looking to acquire someone.
Posted by: ilulic | September 17, 2008 at 10:07 PM
I think Ubaldo Jimenez, Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis, Manny Corpas and some guy named Biran Furntes had ALOT to do with the Rockies going to the WS last year. But I could be wrong.
Posted by: mitch | September 18, 2008 at 12:37 PM